Tampa FL vs Waukegan IL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Waukegan, IL
Illinois · Population: 33,889
- Median HH Income$97,263
- Median Home Price$239,865
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tampa
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Tampa
19.0%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Tampa
51.8%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Tampa
4.8%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Tampa
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 393,389 | 33,889 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 37.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 51.8% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 21.3% | 11.2% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 26.2% | 16.4% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tampa
$71,302
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tampa
$65,328
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Tampa
4.7%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Tampa
15.9%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tampa
44.6%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,302 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,513 | $49,019 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.9% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.6% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tampa
$376,530
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Tampa
50.2%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $376,530 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 344 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1842 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tampa
17.4%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tampa
16.7%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 40.2% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 14.4% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.3% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tampa
73.4°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tampa
46.3 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.4°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tampa
26.8 min
Tampa +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 33.7 min | Tampa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while waukegan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $239,865. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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